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Padres bolster 'pen by promoting Quackenbush

4/25/14: Kevin Quackenbush fans Danny Espinosa to collect his first career strikeout

By Corey Brock and Teddy Cahill
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MLB.com |

WASHINGTON -- After seeing their bullpen compile 14 2/3 innings over the past three games -- two extra-inning games will do that -- the Padres added a fresh arm on Friday.

The Padres added reliever Kevin Quackenbush, who was with Triple-A El Paso, to the roster, giving them 13 pitchers moving forward. To make room for Quackenbush on the 25-man roster, the team optioned infielder/outfielder Tommy Medica to El Paso.

"It's still all a little shocking," Quackenbush said.

Padres manager Bud Black didn't waste much time calling on his new reliever in the Padres' 11-1 loss to the Nationals, as Quackenbush came on in relief of Robbie Erlin and pitched 1 2/3 innings. He allowed two runs on two hits with a walk and a strikeout.

Before the game, the Padres also designated infielder Alex Castellanos -- who was with El Paso -- for assignment. The Padres also moved right-handed pitcher Josh Johnson, who had Tommy John surgery on Thursday, to the 60-day disabled list.

Quackenbush, 25, was an eighth-round pick in 2011. He had a 1.80 ERA in 10 innings with El Paso and a 1.19 ERA in parts of four professional seasons with 233 strikeouts and 124 hits allowed in 174 2/3 innings.

"We like his mindset and how he attacks," Black said of Quackenbush. "He's been a Minor League strike-thrower, and I think his fastball will play in the Major Leagues. We feel that what he has done in the Minor Leagues will translate to Major League success."

Medica hit .143 in 28 at-bats with 15 strikeouts. Black said he might have played more, but the Padres didn't see many left-handed pitchers in the early part of the season, and Seth Smith performed better in left field filling in for an injured Carlos Quentin.